Houston voters will have the opportunity this November to reshape two significant law enforcement policies — low-level marijuana possession enforcement and no-knock warrants.
The Houston City Council passed an ordinance placing a charter amendment on the November ballot. If approved, the measure would make low-level marijuana possession the lowest enforcement priority for the Houston Police Department and ban the use of no-knock warrants.
The move comes after approximately 40,000 Houston residents signed a petition calling for the change.
Mayor says HPD already deprioritizes low-level marijuana, no-knock warrants
Mayor John Whitmire told KPRC that low-level marijuana possession has not been an enforcement priority for HPD in some time.
“It is not an issue in the city of Houston,” Whitmire said. “We are very firm that we do not serve no-knock warrants. It’s been that way since the beginning of my administration, all the way back to Turner.”
Why turn to a public vote?
If the city is already putting to practice a ban on no-knock warrant and deprioritizing low-level marijuana , why bring it to voters? At-Large Position 5 Council Member Sallie Alcorn says the ballot proposition would reinforce and double down on current city enforcement by writing it into the city charter.
Ground Game Texas, a statewide organization focused on social justice, led the signature drive to put the measures before voters. The organization’s executive director told KPRC on Monday these policies are about accountability.
Houston eligible voters will find the proposition on their Nov. 3 ballot.